In this article, learn about:
Important acronyms in the Target supplier world
- Important terms on Target’s Vendor Portal Online, including those related to deduction disputes, contracts, inventory, supply chains, selling, and more.
______________________________________________________________________
Like many other retailers, Target uses terms and acronyms to communicate important business information to suppliers. However, it can become easy to lose track of all the different meanings of Target’s vendor terms.
We compiled the most important terms used by Target so you can have this critical and relevant information easily available, instead of digging through Target’s documentation or finding it via search. Save time and bookmark this page as a reference guide to easily access important Target vendor term definitions or check out more Target-related content on SupplierWiki.
Advanced Shipping Notice (ASN): offers a detailed look into what a shipment contains, helping Target plan and manage its receiving processes more effectively at its distribution centers.
Casepack: A term meaning several individual units grouped together. This can also mean digital data involved in ICPM, which is triggered by changes in vendor order points, exceeding threshold points, etc.
Chargeback: A deduction made by the system when a violation remains unresolved at the end of its two-week cycle. Chargebacks occur if Exemption/Exceptions are not applied. Suppliers can dispute chargebacks through Synergy.
Cube: Wholesale automatic determination from IMN, based on width and height. This helps determine if pallet items are stackable.
Dynamic Assortment Components (DCMP): Part of the item setup for Target. Used to group two or more similar items under a single master item. The master item is orderable and represents one unit of any of the underlying components: the sellable items. This helps group similar items or planograms.
Related Reading:Target’s Item Setup ExplainedDocklink is a system for scheduling product deliveries to Target's FDCs by Prepaid/They Pay Suppliers. Only carriers have access, as they possess a unique SCAC code.
DCPI: This acronym stands for Department, Class, Item. Target uses this coding system to automatically categorize products for identification.
Exception: Refers to the removal of invalid violations by the SPM Team to prevent chargebacks. For instance, exceptions can be made regarding natural disasters hindering deliveries.
Exemption: Reactive removal of invalid violations before deductions. Suppliers initiate exemption requests for OTS and FR charges, which the SPM Team executes.
Item Cost Management (ICM): A tool that helps vendors update item costs for Target more easily and quickly. It replaces the older, slower IMN system and lets you change costs using Excel. ICM is only for costs, as you still use other tools to update case packs or retail prices.
Item Casepack Management (ICPM) is an application available via Launchpad that helps assign case packs to vendors and vendor order points. As of this writing, it is only available to Departments D49, 94, or D245.
Item Management (IMN) is the software that target suppliers should use for item setup. It is currently scheduled to be decommissioned.
Vendor Order Point Management (IVPM): an online tool/application that manages the association between vendor and supplier order points. This was previously managed in the IMN system, but now stands alone.
Launchpad: A software system combined with IMN to set up and maintain item data. Eventually, IMN will be decommissioned, and Launchpad will be the sole item management software.
On Time Arrival (Prepaid/They Pay): Indicates supplier pays for goods movement to Target DC from Supplier's facilities.
On Time Release & Supplier Pickup Adherence (Collect/We Pay): Target pays for goods movement from the supplier's facilities to the target/consolidators via ShipIQ.
On Time Ship (Collect/We Pay): Indicates Target pays for goods movement from Supplier's facilities to Target/consolidators via VRS.
Pallet spaces are a required entry field in ShipIQ that represents the square footage of items in the trailer (not the unique number of pallets).
Partners Online (POL): Target Partners Online is a web portal for all Target suppliers (also referred to as vendors and partners) to update and manage retail sales data and performance in communication with the retailer. It is binding on all business conducted between them. The portal includes:
Terms and conditions for doing business with Target
Communication policies and procedural changes to specific Target requirements and processes
Reporting tools to analyze the supplier business
Portals to Target applications and systems
Pegasus (PEG): A tool that helps vendors track and send product samples needed for photos on Target.com or in marketing. Vendors use it to see which items need samples, print labels, and enter shipping details.
Product Costing and Negotiation (PCN) is a web-based tool used to exchange costing & negotiation data between Target & Vendors. As of April 2025, this tool replaces the VIT (Vendor Input Template) and ICT (Item Setup Communication Template).
Reports: Tools for analyzing Supplier business and access to Target applications/systems.
Ryder: Also referred to as RyderShare, this appointment scheduling system is for Prepaid/They Pay Suppliers who deliver to Target's DCs. It is accessible only to carriers with a unique SCAC code.
ShipIQ: A web-based system for the communication of freight details by suppliers. It provides Target with shipping information and network routing.
Supplier Management Dashboard (SPMD): Also referred to as SM, this dashboard captures and maintains information about your organization. This information is used to conduct all official business with Target, so it must be correct and current.
PO Supplier Performance Reports: Reporting suite within Greenfield to monitor purchase orders' performance and compliance data. Accessed through Partners Online.
Supplier: Vendor partners collaborating with Target to provide goods and improve retail practices.
Supplier Performance Management Dashboard (SPMD): This dashboard provides insight into domestic and import supplier performance and compliance charges. Suppliers use it to track performance with Target.
Synergy (SVD): Web portal via Partners Online for Suppliers to submit and monitor disputes electronically, with supporting documentation required.
Target Packaging Program (TPP): A guided outline of requirements for packaged goods suppliers.
Terms and conditions for doing business with Target: Communication of policies and procedural changes regarding Target requirements. For more details on Target’s compliance, head to our article here.
Violation: System-generated compliance assessment, active for two weeks. The violation amount is calculated based on late deliveries or non-receipt of goods.
Vendor Management and Maintenance (VMM): This is a web-based app to manage details such as a vendor mailing address or bank details.
Vendor Order Point (VOP): Specifies the vendor ship point along with relevant terms and details. It can also be called Vendor Order Spec (VOS).
Vendor Ready to Ship (VRS): Web-based system for Suppliers to communicate readiness to ship freight to Target, providing shipping and routing information.
Vendor Training Hub (VTH): A digital training hub used for Target vendors and suppliers.
Yard Goal Date: A single date used when inventory is ordered to arrive. It is calculated with PO creation dates and vendor processing times, plus shipping windows and transit times that Target determines.
Boost Compliance at Target with SupplyPike
Looking to strengthen your compliance performance with Target? SupplyPike helps you track chargebacks, identify errors, and automatically dispute invalid deductions—saving you time and recovering lost revenue.